Mosin Nagant 7.62x54 for black bear?

[teddy12b]

Hello all,
          I've kicked around the idea of using my mosin nagant M44 for black bear next year if I get the chance to go again and I was wondering if anyone else used one, or knew of someone who did. 

I'll have to do some checking to make sure the rifle is legal in ontario, but I plan on taking the bayonet off of it anyway so that's not a big deal.

I'm assuming the 7.62x54 wouldn't have any troubles at baited distances.

[corbanzo]

7.62x54 is about in the middle between 30-30 and 30-06.  It is plenty for black bear, even far away. 

I was out shooting mine earlier this year and came up on a black bear...  he started running, and I took off after him with that rifle, knowing it would do the job.  I lost him in the brush, but I know it was up to it.

[teddy12b]

What kind of hunting ammo do you use in yours?

[moxgrove]

 I would love to know how many big bears have dropped to the 7.62x54 over in Russia. It is the 30-06 of the former com block nations. I wouldn't hesitate at all. You would be well served with the 180 gr soft points for just about any black bear around.

[corbanzo]

I actually haven't loaded it for hunting.  I was carrying some surplus 174 grn FMJ.  Would've gone for bone shots using that. 

I don't have any brass for it... cause its too expensive as of now... They are like a buck a casing and only norma and lapua makes them as I have seen.  All of the surplus stuff is steel cased.

Any good JFP or JRN in the 165-180 grn would work good for black bears and deer though. 

[Dixie Dude]

S&B makes hunting rounds in 7.62.54.  I have some, with brass cases.  About $15 a box.  I think it is 200 grain.  Soft points.  Should be good hunting ammo.  Don't know if there is Russian made or not.  I bought mine for a close range pig gun.  Iron sights get me in a 4" circle at 100 yards. 

[single action]

I believe wolf has 762x54 R in their "wolf gold" line. I bought some of the wolf gold .303 and it worked fine and is reloadable.

[moxgrove]

The Silver Bear is also good ammo out of my M44. It is a 200 gr soft point. Plenty of thump, but the muzzle blast isn't nearly as bad as milsurp.

[John020769]

I have some sliver bear 220 gr. soft point that I got from a gun show that really puts the hurt on whitetail ,black bear would go down just as fast ,anything the 308 can do the 7.62x54 can do there almost the same ...............